MEREDITH -- Meredith Village Savings Bank has announced that it will match monetary donations to local food pantries during July.

The bank is asking the public to visit any of its offices with donations for the community's local food pantries, and MVSB's charitable foundation, the MVSB Fund, will match up to $25,000 of the total funds collected.

"We're very excited about this particular community initiative," said Rick Wyman, executive vice president and for Meredith Village Savings Bank, and trustee of the MVSB Fund. "Food pantries receive a lot of support during the holidays, but often have a hard time keeping their shelves stocked during the remainder of the year and need has been critical over the last few summers. We feel this is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved in enhancing the well-being of our neighbors across the greater Lakes Region."

The bank is collecting funds at all of its offices through July 31 and you do not need to be an MVSB customer to participate.

Community members may donate in cash or with checks made payable to Meredith Village Savings Bank. MVSB will collect all donations, and then distribute them – along with the MVSB Fund's match – equally among the following food pantries: Alton Community Food Pantry, Ashland Community Food Pantry, Calvary Bible Church Food Pantry (Meredith), Community Food Center (Tamworth), First Fruits Food Pantry (Sanbornton), Helping Hands Food Pantry (Plymouth), Inreach Ministries Food Pantry (Laconia), Lakes Region Food Pantry (Moultonborough), Moultonborough United Methodist Church Food Pantry (Moultonborough), L.I.F.E Ministries Food Pantry (Wolfeboro), Plymouth Area Community Closet, Salvation Army (Laconia), St. Vincent de Paul Society (Laconia), United Baptist Church Food Pantry (Laconia).

These contributions are in addition to a $3,795 donation made by the Bank to the Meredith Emergency Food Pantry earlier this year.

For information about the program is available by calling MSVB at 279-9294. A full list of MVSB office locations is available at www.mvsb.com/contact_us/locations

MVSB established the Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund in 1997 under the leadership of John Starrett who was then president and CEO of the bank. Since then, 248 grants totaling more than $971,992 have been awarded to a wide range of environmental, social, educational, and historic projects throughout the Greater Lakes Region and Plymouth areas.

Over the years, the fund has supported literacy programs, after-school programs, environmental monitoring and education, restoration of historic structures, organizations that provide support for individuals and families in challenging circumstances, and equipment that helps save lives. The deadline for consideration for the 2014 grant cycle is Oct. 15. Applications are available on the Bank's website (www.mvsb.com) and at all MVSB offices.

NORTHFIELD — Under the direction of Arts Coordinator Andrew Raeside, the students at Spaulding Youth Center performed folk tales from China, Africa and India. Musical director and world musician Randy Armstrong along with set designer Marek Bennett and Raeside have been working with the students for a couple of months to produce this impressive extravaganza.

All students participated in the production by acting, singing, creating sound effects or playing a musical instrument. The appreciative audience that was invited to chant and sing along, was also treated to a guitar solo by Armstrong who is a world fusion music pioneer. While working with the students as part of a "Visiting Artists Program" Armstrong introduces them to musical instruments from his collection of over 300.

The Robert A. Krueger Arts Fund provides extras for the vibrant art and music program at Spaulding. Melissa Blanock, Psy.D., Director of Program Quality Assurance comments on the program, "At Spaulding we foster the academic, social and emotional growth of the whole child and celebrate his or her accomplishments daily. We benefit greatly from a multi-talented team, including the many talents and areas of expertise Raeside brings to the table."

Spaulding Youth Center is a leading provider of services for children and youth with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning and/or developmental challenges including Autism Spectrum Disorder. Services include academic, behavioral health, residential, foster care, health and wellness and family support.

Dan Thomas is from Meredith and will be attending Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. He will be majoring in Computer Science. Nick Baker is from Center Harbor and he will be attending the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. He is enrolled in a double major program which includes Biology and Business Administration. Natalie Duffield is from Meredith and will be studying Occupational Therapy at High Point University in High Point, North Carolina.

Derek Rosetti will be attending Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire majoring in Education. Jennifer Lively will be attending New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, New Hampshire majoring in Business Administration. Lastly, Sophia Baer will be attending Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire majoring in Biological Science Education.

The Diane K. Kline Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2010 as memorial to Diane who was a 33 year veteran teacher in the Lakes Region, past Center Harbor Selectman and community supporter whose bright smile and positive life-force were a beacon to her many, many students and friends. Diane's fund provides scholarship assistance for educational experiences for New Hampshire students who are either enrolled in or graduated from SAU 2 and SAU 45.

This includes the towns of Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Meredith, Sandwich and Ashland. Currently, Diane's Fund has awarded over $10,000 in scholarships to deserving local young people. More information regarding the fund can be obtained by visiting the website at www.DKKMSF.org.

LACONIA – Bead Divine LLC announces, a specialized jewelry and jewelry-making supply business, will hold the grand opening of its first retail location on Saturday, July 5, in downtown Laconia at 54 Canal St.

The day-long celebration will include drawings and jewelry-making demonstrations. A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the store is scheduled to take place today, July 1, at 11 a.m.

Bead Divine specializes in beaded jewelry and other items and beading supplies, as well as classes, workshops, and retreats.

"I've been creating and selling my own designs for several years, and also teaching beading classes," says owner Cari Ordway. "As my business has grown, I realized it was time for a full-service brick-and-mortar location. I found myself traveling to get the quality of beads I was looking for, which means other beading artists are in the same situation. Nothing can take the place of feeling a bead in your fingers and seeing it in real life to really get the idea of its true color or finish, or to see how it works with other beads you are looking to pair it with."

According to a 2010 Craft and Hobby Association study, jewelry making and beading represents a $2.3 billion market. More than 14 million U.S. households take part in the hobby.

"We have seed beads, Delicas, Swarvorski crystals, and handmade lampwork beads, as well as less expensive but just as pretty options," Ordway explains. "I have different types of stringing materials, including leather with a hollow space inside for wire to help shape it." In addition to serving as a retail outlet for supplies for beading enthusiasts in the Lakes Region and beyond, Ordway notes that the Canal Street store is an excellent space for her classes -- as well as for some new events she has in the works.

"We are holding a weekly kids' summer camp class starting on July 15 and hosting ladies' nights with special discounts and refreshments on Thursdays through September, in conjunction with the summer downtown market," she says. "What drew me to beading 11 years ago is that you can make something so beautiful even as a beginner. I want to share that with as many people as possible."

Classes will range from beginning jewelry making to more advanced topics such as working with precious metal clay. With a brick patio behind her new store, Ordway notes that Bead Divine has ample room for birthday parties and events such as bridesmaid gatherings, too.

Bead Divine will be open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting on July 1, with Thursdays in the summer until 8 p.m.

More information about class topics and events will be available online at www.beaddivine.net.